When Abbey Crawford was 10, she watched the three-hour movie of "Fiddler on the Roof" with her mom.

The story, to a young girl then, was OK. But the music?

Absolutely unforgettable.

She loved it.

"The music is what moved me," she said.

It still does today.

Crawford will take those feelings and let them shine through on the stage as she directs the musical "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Lake City Playhouse. The show opens tonight for a run through Oct. 9.

It will be two hours of singing and dancing as the cast tells the story of Tevye, the changes he faces within his family and the struggles to deal with those changes. It's a tale of family, tradition, love, religious faith, dignity and respect.

"It comes right down to how traditional a place is and how to deal with the changes that come," Crawford said.

It should be a crowd pleaser, said George Green, Playhouse artistic director.

"Fiddler on the Roof is a popular production that always delights," he said. "It's very traditional and a classical piece that people usually find extremely entertaining."

Steve Kane of Post Falls was cast as Tevye, his first major stage slot.

"I'm excited to play such an iconic role," he said.

Kane hopes to bring "authenticity" to Tevye's character.

"He's a man of great faith in a hard situation," Kane said. "I think there's a lot of people around here who can relate to that right now."

Crawford, directing "Fiddler" for the first time, said the cast is strong and connected.

"They really created a family, which is really important for the show," she said. "Because they're so connected, it really shows when they're on stage."

Crawford said while she's kept the musical's traditional aspects, she's "taken some liberties here and there.

"I've added a little more humor, which is not necessarily in the show but I don't like sitting through a show and there's no humor."

She said the show will be full of love, joy and fun. Theater goers should like what they see and hear.

"I'm pretty sure they'll walk away thinking how these themes connect to their life," Crawford said. "It's a beautiful show."

Kane said he'll likely be a little nervous for opening night, but "those nerves turn into energy when there's a full house."

He urges the community to "come to feel the heart of a Russian Jewish community at the turn of the last century. Come to laugh and to cry and to feel the love."

Check it out

"Fiddler on the Roof" opens at 7:30 tonight at the Lake City Playhouse. Shows are also 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances continue through Oct. 9. It is directed by Abbey Crawford, with music direction by Carolyn Jess and choreography by Ali Waid. Tickets: 667-1323